LA Kings goaltender Jonathan Quick has allowed twelve goals in two games so far in his team’s first round playoff
series against the San Jose Sharks. Although he has pointed at himself for that, taking the blame, as usual, the
truth is that his teammates let him down...and they know it.

EL SEGUNDO, CA — After getting their rear ends handed to them in two embarrassing losses to the San Jose Sharks in Games 1 and 2 of their 2014 Western Conference Quarterfinal series in San Jose, one might expect a somber mood in the Los Angeles Kings’ dressing room at their practice facility on April 21.

But even though you couldn’t call the mood of the team, “jovial,” they remain upbeat and confident, yet serious and focused on climbing a mountain that is now much taller than expected in order to advance to the second round of the playoffs.

It’s the time of year when hockey fans all over are either at games, or are glued to a television set somewhere watching Stanley Cup Playoff games, and probably not just games in which their favorite team is playing in.

Indeed, this is the best time of year for hockey fans, and that sentiment is shared by National Hockey League players and coaches as well.

“This is the best time of the year,” said Los Angeles Kings center Anze Kopitar. “Everybody gets excited for it, and it’s no different for us.”

LOS ANGELES AND EL SEGUNDO, CA — Following the 2013 Western Conference Final, when the Chicago Blackhawks unceremoniously bounced the Los Angeles Kings out of the Stanley Cup Playoffs in five games, one thing was crystal-clear…

EL SEGUNDO, CA — The 2014 Stanley Cup Playoffs begin in just a few days, and the Los Angeles Kings are apparently already in full playoff mode.

Despite not taking the ice on Monday, opting instead for off-ice workouts, forwards Dustin Brown, Anze Kopitar and Jarret Stoll, along with goaltender Jonathan Quick, and head coach Darryl Sutter took time out to speak to the media gathered at their practice facility, the Toyota Sports Center in El Segundo, California.

COMMENTARY: San Jose Sharks general manager Doug Wilson stirred the pot last night, during his team’s game against the Colorado Avalanche, citing his disappointment with Los Angeles Kings forward Dustin Brown, and the Kings organization, for not expressing concern for injured Sharks forward Tomas Hertl. But why did Wilson make those remarks publicly, rather than through the usual league back channels? Why did he go to the media with his remarks? What was Wilson trying to accomplish? Frozen Royalty just might have the answer…

LOS ANGELES — According to multiple reports out of San Jose, on December 23, during their game against the Colorado Avalanche, San Jose Sharks general manager Doug Wilson approached the media who cover the team on a regular basis during the second intermission, and talked about his disappointment that Los Angeles Kings forward Dustin Brown has not expressed concern for the welfare of Sharks rookie forward Tomas Hertl, nor has anyone else from the Kings organization.

To review, Brown and Hertl collided in the neutral zone late in the first period during a game at Staples Center on December 19. The result was knee-on-knee contact, with Hertl suffering a right knee injury that will sideline him for at least one month, and could require surgery.

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